Sorry Sandals, These 5 Trainer Styles Are Currently Taking Over Our Wardrobes
And just like that, it's August, and whilst July should have been a month of linen dresses and barely-there sandals, it turned out to be more than a little dreary. Don't get me wrong—this summer has had spells of sun and the odd day of near-perfect temperatures, but chances are you've carried an umbrella more than your sun cream, which calls into question what we've been planning for our August wardrobes.
If you've found yourself debating whether to layer up in knits or brave the chill in summer dresses, we've put together a handy guide on how to dress for a cold-girl summer, but the other thing to take into consideration is what to wear on our feet once the outfit is perfected. After getting caught in the rain in sandals one too many times, I turned to Instagram for some tips on the best shoes to wear this summer, and I'm pleased to say the answer is simple: faithful, reliable and ever-comfortable trainers.
Let's be honest, there's no outfit that a good pair of trainers can't improve (except for perhaps formal wear), and whether you're running errands or heading out to dinner, there's a trainer style to suit every mood. The latest pairs to hit the market have been some of this year's biggest shoe releases. Personally, I'm still thinking about Grace Wales Bonner's latest collab with Adidas, and I've spent way too much time Googling rare Samba colourways.
But even for the non-sneakerheads amongst us, we can all agree that trainers are arguably the comfiest and easiest shoes you can reach for when you get ready in the morning. It's no wonder that everyone from influencers to editors are ready to trade in flat sandals for something a little sportier this summer.
But if you still haven't found the perfect pair for you, no worries. I've taken the stress out of trainer shopping and searched high and low for the latest pairs of trainers that come fashion-editor approved, so you don't have to. So if you're looking for a pair of trainers that will have you covered come rain or shine, keep scrolling for the best fashion trainers to wear from summer into autumn. You won't regret it.
1. COLOUR-POP BRIGHTS
Style Notes: It goes without saying that brights come into their own in summer, and this applies to your shoes too. Take notes from Lucy Williams and bring a monochrome outfit to life with a burst of colour from a pair of colour-pop trainers that'll put a spring into every step.
SHOP BRIGHT TRAINERS:
Such a happy shade of sunshine yellow.
There's a good reason Gucci rereleases these trainers in different colours.
2. PLIMSOLLS
Style Notes: Minimalists who are looking for something a little more understated will be happy to see the return of plimsolls. After the last few years of platform soles, prints and just about all of the bells and whistles, this simple trainer style is a welcome palette cleanser.
SHOP PLIMSOLLS:
Superga is the influencer's choice for pared-back trainers.
No logos, no prints, just quiet nod to luxury.
The leather finish makes a nice touch.
3. DAD SNEAKERS
Style Notes: Our love for "ugly shoes" still runs deep, and if you aren't drawn to colour-pop trainers or simple plimsolls, it's likely you might also be an ugly-shoe lover. The premise is simple—any trainers that your dad (or grandad) is likely to pick up are now ironically cool, and they pair especially well with jeans and a knit.
SHOP DAD SNEAKERS:
New Balance always nails retro silhouettes.
With a few good collaborations under its belt, I predict that 2023 is going to be a good year for Asics.
4. WHITE SPORTS TRAINERS
Style Notes: Thanks to the off-duty wardrobes of Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber, Emily Ratajkowski and Bella Hadid, everyone has been investing in leggings, white socks and sporty sneakers again, and the '90s athleisure look is more popular than ever. If you're looking for an airport outfit that ticks all the boxes, look no further than Coco Flo's take on sporty chic (pictured above). You can never go wrong with white trainers, after all.
SHOP WHITE TRAINERS:
5. RETRO HIGH-TOPS
Style Notes: I'd be willing to bet that at some stage in your life you've had a pair of classic Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars in your wardrobe. The appeal of the high-top is far reaching, and whether your prefer a pair of slim-fit Chucks or chunky Jordans, it's well worth having an ankle-covering pair in your arsenal for cropped jeans and trousers, especially when autumn rolls around.
SHOP HIGH-TOPS:
The All Stars are a classic for a reason.
Just add a pair of white tube socks.
The cool-girl's choice.
This summer's hottest colour? Buttermilk yellow, and these are the perfect way to channel it on your feet.
Next Up: It's My Job to Find Amazing Shopping Picks—These 9 New Buys Are Too Good to Miss
Remy Farrell is a London-based shopping editor with nearly 10 years of editorial experience covering fashion, beauty and lifestyle. After graduating with a journalism degree and working on the editorial and fashion teams for titles such as Grazia, Elle, Cosmopolitan and British Vogue, she moved into the luxury e-commerce sector, working as fashion assistant at TheOutnet.com styling for the social media channels and helping to develop the collections for the in-house brand Iris & Ink. After expanding an assisting and styling portfolio that includes shooting talent such as Gigi Hadid, Victoria Beckham and Miquita Oliver, she also branched out into beauty, creating tried-and-tested reviews and diverse beauty content.In her role as shopping editor at Who What Wear, Remy is interested in discovering new and exciting brands to share with the Who What Wear readership and particularly loves uncovering hidden gems at affordable prices to make shopping accessible to everyone.Born and raised in Sheffield, Yorkshire, Remy moved to London in 2014 and lives in the Docklands with her partner and pug Billie.
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